Device for generating an inhalable medium, its use to provide sustained nicotine delivery, cartridge and tobacco composition pod suitable for use therein

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a device for generating an inhalable medium, the device including a container for holding a liquid; a heater for volatilizing liquid held in the container; a chamber containing a tobacco composition; and an outlet; the arrangement being such that in use, an inhalable medium passes out of the outlet, the medium comprising volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol and one or more constituents of the tobacco composition; wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2019/070009, filed Jul. 25, 2019, which claims priority from GBPatent Application No. 1812372.9, filed Jul. 30, 2018, each of which ishereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, without limitation, to a device forgenerating an inhalable medium, a cartridge for use in a device forgenerating an inhalable medium, a method of generating an inhalablemedium, a kit and a tobacco composition pod.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobaccoduring use to create tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types ofarticles, release compounds without burning to form an inhalable medium.

Examples of such products are heating devices includee-cigarette/heat-not-burn hybrid devices, also known as electronictobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a liquid which isvaporized by heating to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. Theliquid may contain flavorings and/or aerosol-generating substances, suchas glycerol and in some instances, nicotine. The vapor or aerosol passesthrough material in the device and entrains one or more constituents ofa substrate material to produce the inhaled medium. The substratematerial may be, for example, tobacco, other non-tobacco products or acombination, such as a blended mix, which may or may not containnicotine.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments described herein, the disclosure provides a devicefor generating an inhalable medium, the device comprising: a containerfor holding a liquid; a heater for volatilizing liquid held in thecontainer; a chamber containing a tobacco composition; and an outlet;the arrangement being such that in use, an inhalable medium passes outof the outlet, the medium comprising (i) volatilized liquid in the formof a vapor and/or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of thetobacco composition; wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobaccomaterial and an encapsulated base.

The device described herein may be referred to as an electronic tobaccohybrid device.

The disclosure also provides a cartridge for use in a device forgenerating an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a volatilizableliquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber,wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and anencapsulated base.

Suitably, the cartridge may be adapted for use in the device forgenerating an inhalable medium described herein.

The disclosure also provides a method of generating an inhalable mediumusing a device comprising a container holding a liquid, a heater forvolatilizing the liquid, a chamber containing a tobacco composition andan outlet, the method comprising: volatilizing the liquid held in thecontainer; forming an inhalable medium, the inhalable medium comprising(i) the volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol and(ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition; and passingthe inhalable medium out of the outlet; wherein the tobacco compositioncomprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

The disclosure also provides for the use of an encapsulated base in atobacco composition to provide sustained nicotine delivery in use,wherein the tobacco composition is provided in a device, the devicecomprising: a container for holding a liquid; a heater for volatilizingliquid held in the container; a chamber containing the tobaccocomposition; and an outlet; the arrangement being such that in use, aninhalable medium passes out of the outlet, the medium comprising (i)volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol and (ii) oneor more constituents of the tobacco composition.

The disclosure also provides a method of providing sustained release ofnicotine from a device for generating an inhalable medium, the devicecomprising: a container for holding a liquid; a heater for volatilizingliquid held in the container; a chamber containing a tobaccocomposition; and an outlet; the arrangement being such that in use, aninhalable medium passes out of the outlet, the medium comprising (i)volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol and (ii) oneor more constituents of the tobacco composition; wherein the tobaccocomposition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base; themethod comprising releasing the base from its encapsulation in use inorder to liberate nicotine from the tobacco material.

The disclosure also provides a kit comprising:

(i) a liquid pod containing a volatilizable liquid; and

(ii) a tobacco composition pod, containing a tobacco compositioncomprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base;

wherein the liquid and tobacco composition pod are configured for use ina device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the device beingsuch that in use, an inhalable medium is generated, the mediumcomprising (i) volatilized liquid from the liquid pod in the form of avapor and/or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of the tobaccocomposition.

The disclosure also provides a tobacco composition pod, containing atobacco composition that comprises a tobacco material and anencapsulated base; wherein the tobacco composition pod is configured foruse in a device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the devicebeing such that in use, an inhalable medium is generated, the mediumcomprising (i) volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or anaerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the device, cartridge or tobacco composition pod isconfigured such that in use, liquid volatilized by the heater passes, inthe form of at least one of a vapor and an aerosol, through the tobaccocomposition to thereby entrain one or more constituents from the tobaccocomposition to produce the inhalable medium which passes out of theoutlet.

In some instances, the base comprises one or more hydroxides orcarbonates of sodium, potassium or calcium or other soluble bases.

In some instances, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating materialthat melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves or deformsto release the base at a temperature above room temperature but at orbelow the temperature reached during use.

In some instances, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating materialselected from a polysaccharide or cellulosic barrier material, agelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof. In some cases, theencapsulating material is selected from one or more of alginates,dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum Arabic, gum ghatti, gumtragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthangums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, furcellaran andcarnauba wax.

In some cases, only the base is encapsulated. In some cases, tobaccomaterial is encapsulated with the base. In some cases, this may be theonly tobacco material that is include in the tobacco composition. Inother cases, the encapsulated tobacco material may be included alongsideun-encapsulated tobacco material in the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the methods of the disclosure comprise: volatilizing theliquid held in the container; entraining one or more constituents fromthe tobacco composition in at least one of a vapor and an aerosol formedby the volatilized liquid by passing the at least one of a vapor and anaerosol through the tobacco composition to generate the inhalablemedium; and passing the inhalable medium out of the outlet.

Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following description of embodiments of the disclosure , givenby way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of devices for generating an inhalable medium according to thedisclosure are described below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exampleof a device for generating an inhalable medium.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of anotherexample of a device for generating an inhalable medium.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of anotherexample of a device for generating an inhalable medium.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exampleof a cartridge having a liquid container and an integral container forsolid material.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exampleof a cartridge having a liquid container and a detachable container forsolid material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Tobacco can be treated with base and water in order to liberate nicotinefrom the tobacco. Nicotine in the tobacco reacts with the base; thisreaction deprotonates the nicotine, increasing its volatility andreleases it from its bound state within the tobacco.

The inventors have determined that if base-treated tobacco is used inknown electronic tobacco hybrid devices, nicotine delivery per puffsignificantly drops during the use. The reaction between base andnicotine occurs quickly; the deprotonated nicotine is then is liberatedquickly once heating commences and is therefore consumed rapidly.

The present disclosure provides improved consistency of nicotinedelivery per puff through encapsulating the base. The inventors havedetermined that through encapsulating the base, the rate of release ofbase can be controlled; this in turn provides control of the rate of pHtreatment of the tobacco and therefore controls the rate of nicotineliberation by the pH treatment.

Moreover, pH treatment of tobacco results in the liberation of ammonia.Control of the rate of pH treatment controls the rate of release ofammonia, and this can improve the organoleptic properties of the tobacco(since the smell of ammonia is less strong).

The release of base from the encapsulation may be triggered by pressure,temperature or contact with the vapor or aerosol formed from thevolatilized liquid. For example, where the release is temperaturetriggered, the base may be encapsulated by an encapsulating materialthat melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves or deformsto release the base at a temperature above room temperature but at orbelow the temperature reached during use.

In some cases, the disclosure provides a device for generating aninhalable medium or a cartridge for use in a device for generating aninhalable medium, wherein the device or cartridge includes a tobaccocomposition. The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and anencapsulated base.

In some cases, the tobacco composition may be porous, such that anaerosol or vapor can pass through the tobacco composition. Thus,components of the tobacco composition are efficiently entrained in theaerosol/vapor as it passes through the tobacco composition.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any materialcomprising tobacco or derivatives therefore. The term “tobacco material”may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expandedtobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobaccomaterial may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber , cuttobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco,agglomerated tobacco, spheronized tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce tobacco material may be any suitabletobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf,including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental.

It may also be tobacco particle ‘fines’ or dust, expanded tobacco,stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cutrolled stems. The tobacco material may be a ground tobacco or areconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material maycomprise tobacco fibers , and may be formed by casting, aFourdrinier-based paper making-type approach with back addition oftobacco extract, or by extrusion.

The tobacco composition may additionally comprise flavorings and/oraerosol generating agents.

The tobacco composition may additional comprise one or more casings,such as invert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, licorice ,polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol and acids such as malicacid.

The tobacco composition comprises an encapsulated base. Any suitablebase may be used. Suitable bases may be non-toxic and preferablytasteless or palatable. GRAS water-soluble bases are particularlysuitable. Other suitable bases may be oil-soluble. Examples of suitablebasic substances to be incorporated in the tobacco compositionsaccording to the invention are ammonia, carbonates or hydroxides ofsodium, potassium or calcium, suitably sodium bicarbonate, sodiumcarbonate or sodium hydroxide.

As noted above, release of base from the encapsulation may be triggeredby pressure, temperature or contact with the vapor or aerosol formedfrom the volatilized liquid. For example, where the release is pressuretriggered, this may be effected by the user applying pressure directedto the capsule, or by activating an actuator. Where the release istemperature triggered, the base may be encapsulated by an encapsulatingmaterial that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, disintegratesor deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperaturebut at or below the temperature reached during use. Where the release istriggered through contact with the vapor or aerosol formed from thevolatilized liquid, the release may be effected by a chemical reactionbetween the vapor/aerosol and the encapsulating material.

In some cases, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating materialselected from a polysaccharide or cellulosic barrier material, agelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof. In some cases, theencapsulating material is selected from one or more of alginates,dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum Arabic, gum ghatti, gumtragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthangums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, furcellaran andcarnauba wax.

In some embodiments, the encapsulating material comprises apolysaccharide. An alginate is particularly suitable due to itsencapsulation properties. The alginate may be, for instance, a salt ofalginic acid, an esterified alginate or glyceryl alginate. Salts ofalginic acid include ammonium alginate, triethanolamine alginate, andgroup I or II metal ion alginates like sodium, potassium, calcium andmagnesium alginate. Esterified alginates include propylene glycolalginate and glyceryl alginate. In some cases, the barrier material issodium alginate and/or calcium alginate.

The release temperature of the encapsulated base may be, for example,above 50° C., suitably above 60° C., 70° C., 80° C. or 90° C. Therelease temperature of the encapsulated base may be suitably above roomtemperature or ambient temperature.

Release of the base may be staggered in use by, for example, dispersingthe encapsulated base through the tobacco composition, so that differentportions of the encapsulated base reach their release temperatures atdifferent times. Alternatively or additionally, release of the base maybe staggered through encapsulating different portions of theencapsulated base differently; for instance, the thickness of theencapsulating material may differ between different portions of theencapsulated base, and/or the encapsulating material itself may differbetween different portions of the encapsulated base.

Staggered release of the base further improves the consistency ofnicotine delivery, since the rate of pH treatment of the nicotine iscontrolled. This also controls the rate of ammonia release, improvingthe organoleptic properties of the tobacco.

In some cases, the encapsulated base may be encapsulated using two ormore encapsulating materials, for example in separate layers.

The encapsulated base may be incorporated into the tobacco compositionin a number of ways. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be appliedto the tobacco material, and this may be achieved by spray-drying forexample. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be provided as a filmwhich is applied to a wrapper arranged around other components of thetobacco composition. In some cases, the encapsulated base may beprovided in the form of granular capsules, which may be dispersedthrough other components of the tobacco composition. In some cases, theencapsulated base may be provided as part of a method of tobaccoprocessing; for example, included in a method of producing extrudedtobacco material or a method of producing a reconstituted tobaccomaterial. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be provided in acombination of these ways.

The tobacco composition may additionally comprise un-encapsulated base.

In some cases, other components of the tobacco composition may beencapsulated alongside the base. For example, some or all of the tobaccomaterial may be encapsulated. Where present, some or all of theflavoring and/or aerosol generating agent may be encapsulated.

In some examples, tobacco material and base are co-encapsulated.Suitably, the tobacco composition may comprise further tobacco materialthat is not encapsulated. Alternatively, all of the tobacco material inthe tobacco composition may be co-encapsulated with the base.

In other examples, there is no tobacco material encapsulated alongsidethe base. In some cases, there is no encapsulated tobacco material inthe tobacco composition. Suitably, the encapsulation only encapsulatesbase (and optionally, solvent).

The device comprises a container for holding a volatilizable liquid. Insome cases, the device comprises a container which is holding avolatilizable liquid. Suitable liquids include those conventionally usedin e-cigarette devices. In some cases, the volatilizable liquid maycomprise nicotine and/or a tobacco extract and/or flavorings and/oraerosol-generating agents, such as propylene glycol and/or glycerol. Theliquid is typically volatilized at around 150-250° C.

The device according to some examples of the invention may be configuredsuch that in use, liquid volatilized by the heater passes, in the formof at least one of a vapor and an aerosol, through the tobaccocomposition to thereby entrain one or more constituents from the tobaccocomposition to produce the inhalable medium which passes out of theoutlet.

In other examples, the flow path from the liquid container may becombined with a separate flow path which runs from the tobaccocomposition so as to form the inhalable medium. In other words, in someexample devices, the volatilized liquid does not pass through thechamber retaining the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the device comprises means for heating the tobaccocomposition to volatilize components of the tobacco and form a firstaerosol and/or vapor. The liquid may be volatilized to form a secondvapor and/or aerosol, which may be combined with the first vapor and/oraerosol to form the inhalable medium. In some cases, one heater may heatboth the liquid and the tobacco composition. In some cases, the devicemay be configured such that the heater only heats the liquid compositiondirectly and the tobacco composition is heated by warmth carried in thevapor/aerosol formed from the volatilized liquid (thereby volatilizingcomponents of the tobacco composition which are then entrained in thevapor/aerosol flow).

In an embodiment, the device comprises a cooler or cooling zonedownstream of the heater and upstream of the chamber, the cooler orcooling zone being arranged to cool vaporized liquid to form an aerosolof liquid droplets which in use passes through the tobacco compositionin the chamber. The cooler may be arranged in effect to act as a heatexchanger, allowing for recovery of heat from the vapor. The recoveredheat can be used for example to pre-heat the tobacco composition and/orto assist in heating the liquid.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a second heater for heating thetobacco composition in the chamber. This enables the tobacco compositionto be heated by the heater, which encourages release of compounds fromthe tobacco composition, and optionally allows a lower temperature to beused for the heated liquid.

In an embodiment, the device is battery-operated.

In an embodiment, the or each heater is an electrically resistiveheater.

In an embodiment, the liquid container is removable. The liquidcontainer may be in the form of a pot or the like (which in someembodiments may be annular for example), and/or an absorbent wadding orthe like. The whole liquid container containing the liquid may in effectbe a disposable item which is replaced as a whole after use. As analternative, the arrangement may be such that the user removes theliquid container from the device, replaces used liquid or tops up liquidin the container, and then places the container back in the device.

In some cases, the liquid container may be non-removable from thedevice. In such an embodiment, the user may just replace used liquid ortop up liquid in the container after use as necessary.

In some cases, the liquid container and the chamber are an integralunit. In some cases, the integral unit is a cartridge that can beremoved from the device.

In some cases, the chamber is removable from the device. The chamber maybe, for example, in the form of a cartridge or the like which containsthe tobacco composition before use. The whole chamber containing thetobacco composition may in effect be a disposable item which is replacedas a whole after use. As an alternative, the arrangement may be suchthat the user removes the chamber from the device, replaces usedmaterial in the chamber, and then places the chamber back in the device.

In some embodiments described herein, the invention provides a cartridgefor use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the cartridgecomprising a volatilizable liquid in a first chamber and a tobaccocomposition in a second chamber, wherein the tobacco compositioncomprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. Suitably, thecartridge may be adapted for use in the device for generating aninhalable medium described herein.

To the extent that they are compatible, features described in relationto the device are explicitly disclosed in combination with the cartridgeand vice versa. Specifically, features of the tobacco composition orvolatilizable liquid described herein are explicitly disclosed incombination with the device and cartridge embodiments of the invention.

Examples of devices for generating an inhalable medium according to thesome embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown anexample of a device 1 for generating an inhalable medium. In broadoutline, the device 1 volatilizes a liquid to form a vapor or an aerosolwhich passes through a material so as to produce an inhalable mediumthat contains one or more constituents derived from the material.

In this respect, first it may be noted that, in general, a vapor is asubstance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its criticaltemperature, which means that for example the vapor can be condensed toa liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. Onthe other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solidparticles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. A “colloid” is asubstance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles aresuspended throughout another substance.

Returning to FIG. 1, the device 1 of this example has a generally hollowcylindrical outer housing 2. The housing 2 has an open end 3. In thisexample, a tubular mouthpiece 4 is provided in the open end 3. Themouthpiece 4 in this example is removable by a user from the housing 2.An O-ring or other seal 5 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 4 in thehousing 2. At or towards the other end 6 of the housing 2 is a battery 7for powering various components of the device 1, as will be discussedfurther below. The battery 7 may be a rechargeable battery or adisposable battery. A controller 8 is also provided in the housing 2 forcontrolling the operation of various components of the device 1, as willbe discussed further below.

The housing 2 has a container 9 for holding or containing a liquid 10.Various different forms for the container 9 may be used. In the exampleof FIG. 1, the container 9 is in the form of an annular chamber 9provided in the housing 2 between the open end 3 and the other end 6. Inthis particular example, the housing 2 is in two parts, a first part 2 abeing towards the open end 3 and a second part 2 b towards the other end6. The first and second parts 2 a, 2 b of the housing 2 may connect toeach other via a screw thread, a bayonet fitting or the like. In use, auser can separate the first and second parts 2 a, 2 b of the housing 2to allow the liquid 10 to be replenished or replaced as necessary.Alternatively, the mouthpiece 4 can be removed to provide access to thecontainer 9. It will be understood however that other arrangements arepossible. For example, the liquid 10 may be provided in a discreteannular pot-like container which can be removed as a whole from thehousing 2. Such a discrete container may be disposable so that the userreplaces the liquid 10 by fitting a new container with liquid 10 in thehousing 2. Alternatively, such a container may be reusable. In such acase, the user may replenish or replace liquid 10 in the containerwhilst it has been removed from the housing 2 and then replace therefilled container in the housing 2. It will be understood that thehousing 2 need not be in two parts and that other arrangements enablingaccess for the user may be provided, for example, to enable refilling insitu.

A heater 11 is provided generally centrally of the housing 2, that is,centrally along the length and width of the housing 2 in this example.In this example, the heater 11 is powered by the battery 7 and istherefore electrically connected to the battery 7. The heater 11 may bean electrically resistive heater, including for example a nichromeresistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc. The heater 11 may be forexample a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate(which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials,one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more ofwhich may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven ornon-woven for example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), afilm heater, etc. Other heating arrangements may be used, includingnon-electrical heating arrangements.

This heater 11 is provided for volatilizing the liquid 10. In theexample shown, an annular wick 12 surrounds the heater 11 and is in(thermal) contact with the heater 11. The outermost surface of theannular wick 12 is in contact with liquid 10 contained in the liquidcontainer 9. The wick 12 is generally absorbent and acts to draw inliquid 10 from the liquid container 9 by capillary action. The wick 12is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton or wool materialor the like, or a synthetic material, including for example polyester,nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like. Whilst this will be describedmore fully below, it may be noted here that in use, liquid 10 drawn intothe wick 12 is heated by the heater 11. The liquid 10 may be volatilizedso as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated toproduce a vapor . The aerosol or vapor so produced exits the wick 12 andpasses towards the mouthpiece 4 as shown by the arrows A under theaction of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 4. The heater 11 and wick12 may be provided as a single, effectively integral item, sometimesreferred to as an “atomizer”, such that the heating and wicking iseffectively carried out by a single unit.

The housing 2 further contains a chamber 13 which holds or contains atobacco composition 14 in the device 1. The tobacco composition 14comprises tobacco material and an encapsulated base. In use, a user canaccess the chamber 13 to replace or replenish the tobacco composition 14through the open end 3 of the housing 2 by removing the mouthpiece 4and/or by separating the two parts 2 a, 2 b of the housing 2. Variousdifferent forms for the chamber 13 may be used. For example, the chamber13 may be a tube which is completely open at both ends and whichcontains the tobacco composition 14. As another example, the chamber 13may be a tube which has one or more end walls which have through holesthrough which a vapor or aerosol can pass. The chamber 13 may remain insitu within the housing 2 whilst the user removes and replaces thetobacco composition 14. Alternatively, the chamber 13 containing thetobacco composition 14 may be a discrete item which in use is insertedinto and removed from the housing 2 as a whole. A removable chamber 13of this type may be disposable so that the user replaces the tobaccocomposition 14 by fitting a new chamber 13 containing fresh tobaccocomposition 14 into the housing 2. As an alternative, the chamber 13 maybe reusable. In such a case, the user may replace the tobaccocomposition 14 in the chamber 13 whilst the chamber 13 has been removedfrom the housing 2 and then replace the refilled chamber 13 in thehousing 2. In yet another example, the chamber 13 may comprise clips orthe like provided internally of the housing 2 and which retain thetobacco composition 14 in position. In some examples, the tobaccocomposition 14 could simply fit snugly within the chamber 13. As anotheralternative, the container 9 for containing the liquid 10 may itself bearranged to support or carry the tobacco composition 14. For example,the container 9 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like forreceiving and holding the tobacco composition 14 in position. Such adual function container 9/chamber or receptacle 13 for both containingthe liquid 10 and receiving the tobacco composition 14 may be in theform of a cartridge or the like and may be a disposable item or may bere-useable, with the liquid 10 and tobacco composition 14 being replacedor topped up by the user as required. In some cases, it may be that theuser only needs to top up or replace the tobacco composition 14 fromtime to time, with sufficient liquid 10 being provided for several uses.Once the liquid 10 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dualfunction container 9/receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Likewise, it maybe that the user only needs to top up or replace the liquid 10 from timeto time, with sufficient tobacco composition 14 being provided forseveral uses. Once the tobacco composition 14 has been consumed, theuser disposes of the dual function container 9/receptacle 13 and uses anew one. Specific examples of dual function containers/receptacles arediscussed further below.

The tobacco composition 14 is located in the housing 2 downstream of thelocation where the aerosol or vapor is produced from the liquid 10 andupstream of the open end 3 of the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 4. Inthis particular example, the tobacco composition 14 is effectivelyprovided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 2 as the wick 12.The aerosol or vapor produced from the liquid 10 exits the wick 12 andpasses as shown by the arrows A towards the tobacco composition 14 underthe action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 4. In particularembodiments, the tobacco composition 14 is porous so that the aerosol orvapor passes through the tobacco composition 14 and then through theopen end 3 of the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 4. The heat carried bythe aerosol or vapor releases the base from its encapsulation in thetobacco composition 14, suitably by melting or any othertemperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above. The baseincreases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readilyentrained in the passing vapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 14 and/or its chamber 13are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition14/chamber 13 and the interior of the housing 2 so that the aerosol orvapor flows entirely through the tobacco composition 14.

The liquid 10 is suitably a liquid that is volatilizable at reasonabletemperatures, preferably in the range of 100-300° C. or moreparticularly around 150-250° C., as that helps to keen down the powerconsumption of the device 1. Suitable materials include thoseconventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for examplepropylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine).

The tobacco composition 14 imparts a flavor to the aerosol or vaporproduced from the liquid 10 as the aerosol or vapor passes through thetobacco composition 14. As the aerosol or vapor passes through and overthe tobacco composition 14, the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organicand other compounds or constituents from the tobacco material 14 thatlend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavor tothe aerosol or vapor as it passes to the mouthpiece 4.

The device 1 provides nicotine for the user. The nicotine may beprovided in the liquid 10, may be obtained from the tobacco composition14, may be provided as a coating or the like on the tobacco composition14, or any combination of these. Likewise, flavorings may be added tothe tobacco composition 14 and/or to the liquid 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the only heat source for heating thetobacco composition 14 in the device 1, which is required so as togenerate the organic and other compounds or constituents from thetobacco composition 14, is the hot aerosol or vapor produced fromheating the liquid 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown another example of a device forgenerating an inhalable medium. In the following description and in FIG.2, components and features that are the same as or similar to thecorresponding components and features of the example described withreference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numeral but increased by200. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components andfeatures will not be repeated in its entirety here. It will beunderstood that the arrangements and alternatives, etc. described abovein relation to the example of FIG. 1 are also applicable to the exampleof FIG. 2. Again, in broad outline, the device 201 of FIG. 2 heats aliquid to form a vapor or an aerosol which passes through a tobaccocomposition 214 so as to produce an inhalable medium that contains oneor more constituents derived from the tobacco composition 214.

The device 201 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outerhousing 202 with an open end 203 and a tubular mouthpiece 204. Themouthpiece 204 in this example is removable by a user from the housing202 and an 0-ring or other seal 205 assists in sealing the mouthpiece204 in the housing 202. A battery 207 for powering various components ofthe device 201 and a controller 208 are provided at or towards the otherend 206 of the housing 202. The housing 202 of this example is in twoparts, a first part 202 a being towards the open end 203 and a secondpart 202 b towards the other end 206.

The housing 202 has a container 209 for holding or containing a liquid210. The container 209 may be of any of the types described above inrelation to the example of FIG. 1. A heater 211 is provided generallycentrally (lengthwise and widthwise) of the housing 202 for volatilizingthe liquid 210. In this example, the heater 211 is powered by thebattery 207 and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 207.The heater 211 may be an electrically resistive heater, a ceramicheater, etc. The heater 211 may be for example a wire, which may forexample be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layerplate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may beelectrically conductive and one or more of which may be electricallynon-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example,and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc. Otherheating arrangements may be used, including inductive heatingarrangements or non-electrical heating arrangements. An annular wick 212surrounds the heater 211 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater211. The outermost surface of the annular wick 212 is in contact withliquid 210 contained in the liquid container 209. The liquid 210 may beheated so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficientlyheated to produce a vapor . The aerosol or vapor so produced exits thewick 212 and passes towards the mouthpiece 204 as shown by the arrows Aunder the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 204. The heater211 and wick 212 may be provided as a single, effectively integral itemsuch that the heating and wicking is effectively carried out by a singleunit.

The housing 202 further contains a chamber 213 which holds or contains atobacco composition 214 in the device 201. The tobacco composition 214comprises tobacco material and an encapsulated base. The chamber 213 maybe of any of the types described above in relation to the example ofFIG. 1. The tobacco composition 214 is located in the housing 202downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapor is produced fromthe liquid 210 and upstream of the open end 203 of the housing 202 andthe mouthpiece 204. In this particular example, the tobacco composition214 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of thehousing 202 as the wick 212. The aerosol or vapor produced from theliquid 210 exits the wick 212 and passes as shown by the arrows Atowards the tobacco composition 214 under the action of the user drawingon the mouthpiece 204. In particular embodiments, the tobaccocomposition 214 is porous so that the aerosol or vapor passes throughthe tobacco composition 214 and then through the open end 203 of thehousing 202 and the mouthpiece 204. The heat carried by the aerosol orvapor releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobaccocomposition 14, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependentrelease mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH,liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passingvapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 214 and/or its chamber 213are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition214/chamber 213 and the interior of the housing 202 so that the aerosolor vapor flows entirely through the tobacco composition 214. As theaerosol or vapor passes through and over the tobacco composition 214,the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds orconstituents from the tobacco composition 214 that lend tobacco itsorganoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavor to the aerosol orvapor as is passes to the mouthpiece 204.

The container 209 for containing the liquid 210 may itself be arrangedto support or carry the tobacco composition 214. For example, thecontainer 209 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like forreceiving and holding the tobacco composition 214 in position. Such adual function container 209/chamber or receptacle 213 for bothcontaining the liquid 210 and receiving the tobacco composition 214 maybe in the form of a cartridge or the like and may be a disposable itemor may be re-useable, with the liquid 210 and tobacco composition 214being replaced or topped up by the user as required. In some cases, itmay be that the user only needs to top up or replace the tobaccocomposition 214 from time to time, with sufficient liquid 210 beingprovided for several uses. Once the liquid 210 has been consumed, theuser disposes of the dual function container 209/receptacle 213 and usesa new one. Likewise, it may be that the user only needs to top up orreplace the liquid 210 from time to time, with sufficient tobaccocomposition 214 being provided for several uses. Once the tobaccocomposition 214 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dualfunction container 209/receptacle 213 and uses a new one.

In the example device 201 of FIG. 2, a second heater 215, such as anoven heater, is provided in thermal contact with the tobacco composition214 to pre-heat the tobacco composition 214 and/or provide additionalheat to the tobacco composition 214 throughout use of the device 201.This encourages release of constituents from the tobacco composition 214as the vapor or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition 214 inuse. The amount of heated liquid 210 to achieve desirable heating of thetobacco composition 214 may be reduced. The second heater 215 may be anelectrically resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc., powered by forexample the battery 207. The second heater 215 may be for example awire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which maybe a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or moreof which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may beelectrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-wovenfor example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a filmheater, etc. The second heater 215 may be an inductive heater powered byfor example the battery 207. Tobacco composition 214 may includematerials susceptible to inductive heating. Other heating arrangementsmay be used for the second heater 215, including non-electrical heatingarrangements.

The heater 215 may also effect release of the base from itsencapsulation in the tobacco composition 214, suitably by melting or anyother temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above. The baseincreases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readilyentrained in the passing vapor/aerosol.

In the example device 201 of FIG. 2, the heater 215 for heating thetobacco composition 214 is provided externally of the tobaccocomposition 214 and heats the tobacco composition 214 by heat conductionfrom the exterior of the tobacco composition 214. The heater 215 in thisexample is generally cylindrical. The heater 215 may in effect be anintegral part of the device 201 and be provided as part of the housing202. As an alternative, the heater 215 may be provided integrally withthe chamber 213 which holds or contains the tobacco composition 214. Inthis alternative, in the case that the chamber 213 is disposable, theheater 215 will be replaced when a new chamber 213 with fresh tobacco isloaded into the device 201 by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another example of a device forgenerating an inhalable medium. In the following description and in FIG.3, components and features that are the same as or similar to thecorresponding components and features of the example described withreference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numeral but increased by300. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components andfeatures will not be repeated in its entirety here. It will beunderstood that the arrangements and alternatives, etc., described abovein relation to the examples of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are also applicable tothe example of FIG. 3. Again, in broad outline, the device 301 of FIG. 3heats a liquid to form a vapor or an aerosol which passes through atobacco composition 314 so as to produce an inhalable medium thatcontains one or more constituents derived from the tobacco composition314.

The device 301 of this example again has a generally hollow cylindricalouter housing 302 with an open end 303 and a tubular mouthpiece 304,which is removable by a user from the housing 302. 0-ring or other seal305 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 304 in the housing 302. A battery307 for powering various components of the device 301 and a controller308 are provided at or towards the other end 306 of the housing 302. Thehousing 302 of this example is again in two parts, a first part 302 abeing towards the open end 303 and a second part 302 b towards the otherend 306.

The housing 302 has a container 309 for holding or containing a liquid310. The container 309 may be of any of the types described above inrelation to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. A heater 311 is providedgenerally centrally of the housing 302 for heating the liquid 310. Theheater 311 may be any of the types described above. In this example, theheater 311 is powered by the battery 307 and is therefore electricallyconnected to the battery 307. An annular wick 312 surrounds the heater311 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 311. The outermostsurface of the annular wick 312 is in contact with liquid 310 containedin the liquid container 309. The liquid 310 may be heated so as toproduce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to producea vapor . The aerosol or vapor so produced exits the wick 312 and passestowards the mouthpiece 304 as shown by the arrows A under the action ofthe user drawing on the mouthpiece 304. The heater 311 and wick 312 maybe provided as a single, effectively integral item such that the heatingand wicking is effectively carried out by a single unit.

The housing 302 further contains a chamber 313 which holds or contains atobacco composition 314 in the device 301. The tobacco composition 314comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. The chamber 313may be of any of the types described above in relation to the examplesof FIGS. 1 and 2. (In the example shown in FIG. 3, the chamber 313 is inthe form of a tube which has end walls 316 which have through holes 317through which a vapor or aerosol can pass, which was mentioned as anoption above.) The tobacco composition 314 is located in the housing 302downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapor is produced fromthe liquid 310 and upstream of the open end 303 of the housing 302 andthe mouthpiece 304. In this particular example, again, the tobaccocomposition 314 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamberof the housing 302 as the wick 312. The aerosol or vapor produced fromthe liquid 310 exits the wick 312 and passes as shown by the arrows Atowards the tobacco composition 314 under the action of the user drawingon the mouthpiece 304. In particular embodiments, the tobaccocomposition 314 is porous so that the aerosol or vapor passes throughthe tobacco composition 314 and then through the open end 303 of thehousing 302 and the mouthpiece 304. The heat carried by the aerosol orvapor releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobaccocomposition 314, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependentrelease mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH,liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passingvapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 314 and/or its chamber 313are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition314/chamber 313 and the interior of the housing 302 so that the aerosolor vapor flows entirely through the tobacco composition 314. As theaerosol or vapor passes through and over the tobacco composition 314,the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds orconstituents from the tobacco composition 314, thus imparting tobaccoflavor to the aerosol or vapor as is passes to the mouthpiece 304. Thecontainer 309 for containing the liquid 310 may itself be arranged tosupport or carry the tobacco composition 314. For example, the container309 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like for receiving andholding the tobacco composition 314 in position. Such a dual functioncontainer 309/chamber or receptacle 313 for both containing the liquid310 and receiving the tobacco composition 314 may be in the form of acartridge or the like and may be a disposable item or may be re-useable,with the liquid 310 and tobacco composition 314 being replaced or toppedup by the user as required. In some cases, it may be that the user onlyneeds to top up or replace the tobacco composition 314 from time totime, with sufficient liquid 310 being provided for several uses. Oncethe liquid 310 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dual functioncontainer 309/receptacle 313 and uses a new one. Likewise, it may bethat the user only needs to top up or replace the liquid 310 from timeto time, with sufficient tobacco composition 314 being provided forseveral uses. Once the tobacco composition 314 has been consumed, theuser disposes of the dual function container 309/receptacle 313 and usesa new one.

In the example device 301 of FIG. 3, a second heater 318 is againprovided in thermal contact with the tobacco composition 314 to heat thetobacco composition 314 to encourage release of constituents from thetobacco composition 314 as the vapor or aerosol passes through thetobacco composition 314 in use. The second heater 318 may be anelectrically resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc., powered by forexample the battery 307. Other heating arrangements may be used for thesecond heater 318, including non-electrical heating arrangements.

In the example device 301 of FIG. 3, the heater 318 for heating thetobacco composition 314 is provided internally of the tobaccocomposition 314 and heats the tobacco composition 314 by heat conductionfrom the interior of the tobacco composition 314. The heater 318 in thisexample is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod located along thecentral longitudinal axis of the tobacco composition 314. In otherarrangements, the heater 318 may be a wire, which may for example be inthe form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two ormore different materials, one or more of which may be electricallyconductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive),a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example, and which again maybe similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc. The tobacco composition314 in this case is generally tubular or otherwise has an internalaperture for receiving the heater 318. The heater 318 may in effect bean integral part of the device 301 and be provided as part of thehousing 302. In this case, as the tobacco composition 314 is loaded intothe device 301 (for example, as the chamber 313 containing the tobaccocomposition 314 is loaded into the device 301), the tobacco composition314 surrounds the second heater 318. As an alternative, the heater 318may be provided integrally with the chamber 313 which holds or containsthe tobacco composition 314. In this alternative, in the case that thechamber 313 is disposable, the heater 318 will be replaced when a newchamber 313 with fresh tobacco is loaded into the device 301 by theuser.

In another example, plural internal heaters 318 may be provided, so asto provide for more efficient heating of the tobacco composition 314. Inanother example, the tobacco composition 314 may be heated by both oneor more external heaters (like the second heater 215 of the example ofFIG. 2) and by one or more internal heaters (like the second heater 318of the example of FIG. 3).

The one or more heaters 318 configured to heat the tobacco compositionmay effect the release of the base from its encapsulation in the tobaccocomposition 314, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependentrelease mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH,liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passingvapor/aerosol.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic longitudinalcross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge 600 having a liquidcontainer 601 for containing liquid 602 and a receptacle or container603 for tobacco composition 604. In this example, the liquid container601 and the tobacco composition container 603 are provided as oneintegral component, either by being formed integrally initially or beingformed initially of two parts which are then assembled in asubstantially permanent fashion. The cartridge 600 is arranged so thatas the liquid 602 is volatilized so as to produce an aerosol of liquiddroplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapor , at least some andpreferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapor passesthrough the tobacco composition 604 to pick up flavor from the tobaccocomposition 604.

In the example of FIG. 4, the liquid container 601 is provided generallycentrally of the cartridge 600. The liquid container 601 in the exampleshown is frustoconical in shape, but may have a different shape, such asconical, cylindrical, etc. The liquid container 601 is surrounded by anouter shell 605 which defines an annular channel 606 around the outsideof the length of the liquid container 601 and which extends from one endof the liquid container 601 to the other. The outer shell 605 extendsbeyond a first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 to define achamber 608 beyond the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601.In the example shown, both the chamber 608 and the annular channel 606contain the tobacco composition 604 and so can be regarded as togetherproviding the container 603 for the tobacco composition 604. In otherexamples, the tobacco composition 604 may be provided only in thechamber 608, which therefore defines the container 603 for the tobaccocomposition 604, and the annular channel 606 is empty. The chamber 608is closed off by an end wall 609 which is spaced from the end wall 607of the liquid container 601. The end wall 609 may be part of the outershell 605 or may be a separate plastics or rubber cap or the like. Inyet other examples, the annular channel 606 contains the tobaccocomposition 604 and there is no material in the chamber 608, and indeedthe chamber 608 may be omitted and the channel 606 effectivelyterminates at the end wall 609. The channel 606 and/or chamber 608 maybe entirely filled with tobacco composition 604 or may only contain aportion or plug of tobacco composition 604. The end wall 609 is porousand/or has one or more through holes 610 to enable the aerosol or vaporto exit the cartridge 600 to be inhaled by a user. The liquid container601 and the solid container 603 may each be formed of rigid, watertightand airtight materials, such as metal, suitable plastics, etc.

The example cartridge 600 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a heater 611and a wick 612 in (thermal) contact with the heater 611. In thisexample, the heater 611 and the wick 612 are provided as a single unit,often referred to as an “atomizer”. In this case, where the cartridge600 includes an atomizer , such a cartridge is often referred to as a“cartomizer”. The orientation of the heater 611 is shown schematicallyand for example the heater 611 may be a coil having its longitudinalaxis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 600 ratherthan parallel as shown in FIG. 4.

The wick 612 is in contact with the liquid 602. This may be achieved byfor example the wick 612 being inserted through a through hole (notshown) in the second end wall 613 of the liquid container 601.Alternatively or additionally, the second end wall 613 may be a porousmember (shown schematically in FIG. 4 by dashed lines) which allowsliquid to pass through from the liquid container 601, and the wick 612may be in contact with the porous second end wall 613. The second endwall 613 may be for example in the form of a porous ceramic disk. Aporous second end wall 613 of this type helps to regulate the flow ofliquid onto the wick 612. The wick 612 is generally absorbent and actsto draw in liquid 602 from the liquid container 601 by capillary action.The wick 612 is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton orwool material or the like, or a synthetic material, including forexample polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like.

In use, the cartridge 600 is connected by the user to a battery sectionof a device (not shown) to enable the heater 611 to be powered. When theheater 611 of the atomizer is powered (which may be instigated forexample by the user operating a button of the overall device or by apuff detector of the overall device, as is known per se), liquid 602drawn in from the liquid container 601 by the wick 612 is heated by theheater 611 to volatilize or vaporize the liquid. As the user draws on amouthpiece of the overall device, the vapor or aerosol passes into theannular channel 606 around the outside of the length of the liquidcontainer 601 and into the chamber 608 as shown by the arrows A. Thevapor or aerosol picks up flavor from the tobacco composition 604. Theheat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from itsencapsulation in the tobacco composition 604, suitably by melting or anyother temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above. The baseincreases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readilyentrained in the passing vapor/aerosol. The vapor or aerosol can thenexit the cartridge 600 through the end wall 609 as shown by the arrow B.Optionally, a one way valve 614 may be provided inside the end wall 609so that the vapor or aerosol can only exit the cartridge 600 and cannotback-flow to the heater 611 or the electronics of the device as a whole.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic longitudinalcross-sectional view of another example of a cartridge 700 having aliquid container 701 for containing liquid 702 and a container 703 whichdefines a chamber 708 for containing tobacco composition 704. In thefollowing description and in FIG. 5, components and features that arethe same as or similar to the corresponding components and features ofthe example described with reference to FIG. 4 have the same referencenumeral but increased by 100. For the sake of brevity, the descriptionof those components and features will not be repeated in its entiretyhere.

In this example, the liquid container 701 and the tobacco compositioncontainer 703 of the cartridge 700 are provided as separate components,which are detachably connected to each other in use. The liquidcontainer 701 and the tobacco composition container 703 may for examplebe clipped or otherwise detachably fixed to each other, or for examplethe tobacco composition container 703 may simply rest on or be a tightfriction fit on the liquid container 701. The cartridge 700 is arrangedso that as the liquid 702 is volatilized so as to produce an aerosol ofliquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapor, at least someand preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapor passesthrough the tobacco composition 704 to pick up flavor from the tobaccocomposition 704.

In this example, the liquid container 701 is surrounded by an outershell 705 which defines an annular channel 706 around the outside of thelength of the liquid container 701 and which extends from one end of theliquid container 701 to the other. The outer shell 705 extends beyond afirst end wall 707 of the liquid container 601 and terminates in an endwall 709. The end wall 709 may be a separate plastics or rubber cap orthe like. The end wall 709 is porous and/or has one or more throughholes 710 to enable the aerosol or vapor to exit the annular channel706. A one way valve 714 may be provided inside the end wall 709 so thatthe vapor or aerosol can only exit the annular channel 706 at the endremote from the heater 711 and wick 712 and cannot back-flow to theheater 711 or the electronics of the device as a whole. The tobaccocomposition container 703 is located in use over the end wall 709 sothat vapor or aerosol exiting through the end wall 709 passed into thetobacco composition container 703. The tobacco composition container 703has an exit aperture and/or or a porous end wall 715 to enable theaerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 700 to be inhaled by a user.

In use, the cartridge 700 is connected by the user to a battery sectionof a device (not shown) to enable the heater 711 to be powered. When theheater 711 of the atomizer is powered (which may be instigated forexample by the user operating a button of the overall device or by apuff detector of the overall device as is known per se), liquid 702drawn in from the liquid container 701 through the end wall 713 by thewick 712 is heated by the heater 711 to volatilize or vaporize theliquid. As the user draws on a mouthpiece of the overall device, thevapor or aerosol passes into the annular channel 706 around the outsideof the length of the liquid container 701 towards the end wall 709 ofthe outer shell 705 as shown by the arrows A. The vapor or aerosol thenpasses through the end wall 709 (via the one-way valve 714 if present)and into the tobacco composition container 703 where it picks up flavorfrom the tobacco composition 704 contained in the container 703. Heatcarried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from its encapsulationin the tobacco composition 704, suitably by melting or any othertemperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above. The baseincreases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readilyentrained in the passing vapor/aerosol. The vapor or aerosol can thenexit the cartridge 700 through the end wall 715 of the tobaccocomposition container 703 as shown by the arrow B.

The examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are particularly suitable for usewith so-called modular or “e-go” products, in which the cartomizer isfitted to a battery section (not shown), typically by a screw thread, abayonet fitting or the like. The cartomizer as a whole is typicallydiscarded after use and a new, replacement cartomizer used. As analternative, it may be possible for the user to re-use the cartridge byrefilling the liquid and/or replacing the solid material from time totime as necessary.

The examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may easily be adapted for use withother types of an electronic tobacco hybrid device, which are known perse. There are for example so-called “look alike e-cigarette” or“cig-alike” devices which are generally small and have a form andappearance similar to a conventional cigarette. In such devices, theliquid container typically includes some wadding material, of forexample cotton or the like, for holding the liquid. The cartridge orcartomizer in such known devices is typically disposable as a whole, butit may be possible to refill the liquid and/or replace the sold materialin examples that use an embodiment of the present invention. As anotherexample, there are so-called tank devices or personal vaporizers whichgenerally have large liquid containers for holding relatively largevolumes of liquid and also provide for advanced functions that allowusers to control a number of aspects of the device.

As an alternative to any of the cartomizer arrangements discussed above,the atomizer (i.e. the heater and the wick) for the liquid may beprovided separately of the liquid and material containers. The atomizermay for example be provided as part of the battery section of theoverall device to which the cartridge is detachably fitted by the userin use.

In any of the examples described above in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5,there may also be provided a heater for the tobacco composition so as to“pre-heat” it. This heater may be provided as part of the cartridge oras part of the battery section of the device to which the cartridge isfitted in use. This heater for the tobacco composition effect release ofthe base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition, suitably bymelting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussedabove. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which isthen more readily entrained in the passing vapor/aerosol.

As used herein, “aerosol generating agent” refers to a compound ormixture that promotes the generation of an aerosol. An aerosolgenerating agent may promote the generation of an aerosol by promotingan initial vaporization and/or the condensation of a gas to an inhalablesolid and/or liquid aerosol.

In general, any suitable aerosol generating agent or agents may beincluded in the aerosol generating material of the invention. Suitableaerosol generating agents include, but are not limited to: a polyol suchas sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethyleneglycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling pointhydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esterssuch as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylcitrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristateand aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyldodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

As used herein, the terms “ flavor ” and “ flavoring ” refer tomaterials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create adesired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They mayinclude extracts (e.g., licorice , hydrangea, Japanese white barkmagnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint,aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple,Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender,cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium,honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia,caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger,anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genusMentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorialreceptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes(e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine,cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol),and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals,or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or naturalingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, forexample, oil, liquid, or powder.

For the avoidance of doubt, where in this specification the term“comprises” is used in defining the invention or features of theinvention, embodiments are also disclosed in which the invention orfeature can be defined using the terms “consists essentially of” or“consists of” in place of “comprises”.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples ofthe disclosure . Further embodiments of the disclosure are envisaged. Itis to be understood that any feature described in relation to any oneembodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other featuresdescribed, and may also be used in combination with one or more featuresof any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of theembodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not describedabove may also be employed without departing from the scope of theinvention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist inunderstanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments areprovided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are notexhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages,embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or otheraspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on thescope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations onequivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilizedand modifications may be made without departing from the scope of theclaimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitablycomprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriatecombinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts,steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Inaddition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presentlyclaimed, but which may be claimed in future.

1. A device for generating an inhalable medium, the device comprising: acontainer for holding a liquid; a heater for volatilizing liquid held inthe container; a chamber containing a tobacco composition; and anoutlet; wherein, in use, an inhalable medium passes out of the outlet,the inhalable medium comprising (i) volatilized liquid in the form of atleast one of a vapor or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents ofthe tobacco composition, and wherein the tobacco composition comprises atobacco material and an encapsulated base.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device is configured such that in use, liquidvolatilized by the heater passes, in the form of at least one of a vaporor an aerosol, through the tobacco composition to thereby entrain one ormore constituents from the tobacco composition to produce the inhalablemedium which passes out of the outlet.
 3. The device according to claim1, wherein the encapsulated base comprises one or more hydroxides orcarbonates of sodium, potassium or calcium or other soluble bases. 4.The device according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated base isencapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes,reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves or deforms to release theencapsulated base at a temperature above room temperature but at orbelow a temperature reached during use.
 5. The device according to claim1, wherein the encapsulated base is encapsulated by an encapsulatingmaterial comprising at least one of a polysaccharide or cellulosicbarrier material, a gelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof.6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the encapsulating materialis one or more of alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin,pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gumArabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum,guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans,furoidan, furcellaran, or carnauba wax.
 7. The device according to claim1, wherein tobacco material is encapsulated with the encapsulated base.8. A cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium,the cartridge comprising: a volatilizable liquid in a first chamber; anda tobacco composition in a second chamber, wherein the tobaccocomposition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. 9.The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the encapsulated basecomprises one or more hydroxides or carbonates of sodium, potassium orcalcium or other soluble bases.
 10. The cartridge according to claim 8,wherein the encapsulated base is encapsulated by an encapsulatingmaterial that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves ordeforms to release the encapsulated base at a temperature above roomtemperature but at or below a temperature reached during use.
 11. Thecartridge according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated base isencapsulated by an encapsulating material comprising at least one of apolysaccharide or cellulosic barrier material, a gelatin, a gum, a gel,a wax or a mixture thereof.
 12. The cartridge according to claim 11,wherein the encapsulating material is one or more of alginates, dextran,maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose ethers, gum Arabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth,Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agargel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, furcellaran, or carnauba wax.13. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein tobacco material isencapsulated with the encapsulated base.
 14. A method of generating aninhalable medium using the device according to claim 1, the methodcomprising: volatilizing the liquid held in the container; forming aninhalable medium, the inhalable medium comprising (i) the volatilizedliquid in the form of at least one of a vapor or an aerosol and (ii) oneor more constituents of the tobacco composition; and passing theinhalable medium out of the outlet; wherein the tobacco compositioncomprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 14, further comprising: volatilizing the liquid heldin the container; entraining one or more constituents from the tobaccocomposition in at least one of a vapor or and an aerosol formed by thevolatilized liquid by passing the at least one of a vapor or an aerosolthrough the tobacco composition to generate the inhalable medium; andpassing the inhalable medium out of the outlet.
 16. Use of anencapsulated base in a tobacco composition to provide sustained nicotinedelivery in use, wherein the tobacco composition is provided in thedevice according to claim 1, the device comprising; the arrangementbeing such that in use, an inhalable medium passes out of the outlet,the inhalable medium comprising (i) volatilized liquid in the form of atleast one of a vapor or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents ofthe tobacco composition.
 17. A method of providing sustained release ofnicotine from the device according to claim 1, the arrangement beingsuch that in use, an inhalable medium passes out of the outlet, theinhalable medium comprising (i) volatilized liquid in the form of atleast one of a vapor or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents ofthe tobacco composition, wherein the tobacco composition comprises atobacco material and an encapsulated base, the method comprising:releasing the encapsulated base from encapsulation in use in order toliberate nicotine from the tobacco material.
 18. A kit comprising aliquid pod containing a volatilizable liquid; and a tobacco compositionpod according to claim 19; wherein the liquid pod and the tobaccocomposition pod are configured for use in a device for use in generatingan inhalable medium, the device being such that in use, an inhalablemedium is generated, the inhalable medium comprising (i) volatilizedliquid from the liquid pod in the form of at least one of a vapor or anaerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition.19. A tobacco composition pod containing a tobacco composition thatcomprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base, wherein thetobacco composition pod is configured for use in a device for use ingenerating an inhalable medium, the device being such that in use, aninhalable medium is generated, the inhalable medium comprising (i)volatilized liquid in the form of at least one of a vapor or an aerosoland (ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition.